justified

[juhs-tuh-fahyd]

adjective

1. having been shown to be just or right.

   If a parent sides with one child over another, one will feel righteous and justified, and the other will feel misunderstood and resentful.

2. warranted or well-grounded.

   The commission’s stance is that bans on GMO crops must be scientifically justified and crop-specific.

   I accept that there may be a penalty for justified civil disobedience, but I must weigh that penalty against the good that can be accomplished.

3. Printing.,  aligned with one or, especially, both margins.

   Justified text looks a little neater, but there's nothing particularly wrong with having a ragged right edge.

noun

1. Theology.,  Usually the justified a person or persons believed to be worthy, redeemed, or absolved.

   Good works are logically and morally necessary, for they are nothing more or less than the evidence that one is indeed among the justified.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of justify.

Other Word Forms

• half-justified adjective
• unjustified adjective
• well-justified adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of justified¹

justify ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

It also acknowledged that there had been 132 cancellations, and said it investigated 38 complaints, but found none justified a refund.

From BBC

However, there are scenes where the film is frustratingly dim and underlit, even if it might be justified by the power going out during a storm.

From Los Angeles Times

The San Francisco judge then held a hearing on the issue and concluded Noem’s repeal violated the Administrative Procedure Act because it was arbitrary and and not justified.

From Los Angeles Times

The latter proves entirely justified as events unfold.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year Israel's High Court of Justice ruled that restrictions on entry to Gaza were justified on security grounds.

From BBC

Related Words

• constitutional 
• contractual 
• fair 
• juridical 
• lawful 
• legitimate 
• proper 
• statutory 
• valid